People are talking about ... third-hand smoke, vodka and men going to the gynecologist

Third-hand smoke poses health risks, too. Not only is smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke harmful, but people also should be mindful of third-hand smoke, researchers said in a new report.

According to the report released by the University of California-Riverside, third-hand smoke is the “second-hand smoke that gets left on the surfaces of objects, ages over time and becomes progressively more toxic.”

Researchers said it’s a potential health threat to children, spouses of smokers and workers in environments where smoking is, or has been, allowed.

Residue from smoke can remain on surfaces and in dust. Re-emission of nicotine from contaminated indoor surfaces in these homes can lead to nicotine exposure levels similar to that of smoking, the report said. Third-hand smoke contains strong carcinogens and has been found in houses, apartment and hotel rooms after smokers move out. Health problems associated with third-hand smoke include damage to the lungs and liver, as well as delays in the healing of wounds. The results of the study, which was conducted in mice, was published in PLOS One.

Gynecologists board OKs treatment for men. The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology reversed its decades-old ban on treating men last week following criticism from doctors and patients. Doctors argue that the ban would hinder medical research and the treatment of men with chronic pelvic pain. Before the ban, gynecologists would only see males to perform circumcisions, treat transgender patients and couples dealing with fertility problems.

Vodka blamed for premature death in Russian men. A study published in The Lancet shows that Russian men, who have an average life expectancy of 64, may die early because of excessive vodka consumption. Vodka, a distilled fermented drink, is the drink of choice for Russian men. More than 150,000 men were examined for up to 10 years in the study, which showed that those who drank three or more bottles of vodka each week were two times more likely to die prematurely than men who drank less than one bottle each week.